Method and means for packaging



Sept. 29, 1953v F. H.' FITZGERALD 2,653,429

METHOD AND MEANS FOR PACKAGING Filed Sept. 24, 1951 2 Sheets-Sheet l AGE NT Sept. 29, 1953 F. H. FITZGERALD METHOD AND MEANS FOR PACKAGING 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed sept. 24, 1951 YIIIIIIIIIIIIIII FIG. 3

FIG. loA

- INVENTOR. FRANCIS. H. FITZGERALD FIG. 8

atentec Slept. 2:9',

UNITED PATENT yF F ICE.

METHOD AND- MEANs IoR PACKAGING Francis H'enry Fitzgerald, Duluth, Minn;`

Application September 24, 1951, Serial No.248,075

4' Claims. 1

This invention relates to a method and: means of bulk packaging ne powdery, granular, or crystallinev materials for storage and transportationi My invention. hasv particular utility inthe miningl industry; therefore I shall describe same as applied-- toi this industryl for purposesfof illustration; However", itfwill. be apparent that the inventionfwill be useful in otlfierindustriesl as well;

I-nl the mining industry; it has been found'necessaryto crush, grind and pu'lverize` certain ores in order to separate the high-gradeproduct from low-grade materials which' are incorporated therein. One of these ores isv taconite; Taconite' must be ground and; pu'lverizedi` to a: very fine powder in order to'- free .the minute highgrade particles froml the Wastes, and this procedure isiybring; followed at the presentA time with reasonable success.

However; the -po-Wd'erin'g highagrade'orsresulting afterl the' separation' process cannot' be hanfdledl or transportedlto thebl'ast' furnaces conven- 'ientlyl or inexpensively? d'ue to their: size and consistency; therefore, millions ofdollarsy have been-- spent by' various mining 'concerns in an 'effort to .convertl the; powdery productirito some"- Vthing which can be'- har'i'dle'd'y and? shipped reasonably, conveniently' and inexpensively. The com-mon trend of? thought: is tosinte'rv or agglomerat'ethe powdered ones intosclidf pieces of suitable size-'for shipping. '15h-ese' sinteringvand `agg'lomerating processes involve a' great m'any steps-'in handling and: treating the ores, they require a'- greatdeal of expensive equipment; arid 'arevl expensive .torun.

"It/ is,- `therefore, one of myprincipal objects toprovide a new' method and meansl for pack-y agingpowdery materials, or the like;v for han- 'dli'ng `andv shipping Which- Will b'e less' expensive toL the industry; y

nother object isV to providesuh a method Iand means which requires the" least possible moVeinent-andhandling of' the product after the high-grade' concentrate is'V once'- assembled. from the` separating device; l'

Another object is toA providea machine for'` useV in packagingthe concentrate. 1

Another', Ymore specific, object of' my invention iseto'move a sheet or'strip of" thin' material formed to al trough-like shape under; a" disvpensing device which will" deposit a layer' of' ore concentrate or material' on the strip, and then wind f the stri'pandi its concentrate'rnaterial' intow a" spiral roll and simultaneously" seall the side edges of the strip to form"closures fortle 2 ends of the" rolls, thereby providing a package having unusual strength andn durabilityfor the fine' ore concentrates which may be movedv and handledv conveniently.

These and other;v objects and advantages of my invention Will become more apparent as the description proceeds.

In the accompanying. drawing. forming a part of this application:

Figure 1 is a fragmental, broken, side elevational view of a mach-ine for use in packaging oreI concentrates or fines inv accordance with my invention. y v

Figure 2 isa broken top plan View 4of Figure 1f.

Figure 3- isf an enlarged,v` fragmental, side elevational view-showing the details of the forming and formation of a roll or package of material.

Figure 4 is a perspective View of a device for sealing the transversely disposed, cut-off end of kthe rolls.

Figure 5-is1aln enlarged fragmental sectional View on the line'155, Figure 2.

Figure` 6 is a broken, vertical sectional view transversely of the troughed sheet of wrapping materialv showing the levelv to which fine o-res would `he deposited in and on the sheet.

Figure 7 is an enlarged fragmental sectional `v-ievv illustrating; the` construction of the forming trough Where the: adhesiveA is applied to the edges' of the wrapping strip:

Figure 82 is= a reduced sideY view of lFig-ure: 7 ishowing the adhesive spreading brush in posi- Figuresf 9 is adiagrammatic View showing the device: for cutting 01T. the Wrapping stripv when desired Figure 10" isv anend-'view of'Fig'ure 9a Figure 11'1 l is a frag-mental` sectional view 'showing a. means for threading the Ywrapping strip through* the machine.

Figure' 12= is; an end View' .off Figure 11.

Figure 13 isf a side View of a split roller to facilitate: the' iInstal-lationV and remcvau cfl rolls With -respect` tothe roll axles and cores.

Figure`r is a vertical sectional view` through the roller shown in Figure 13.

thed'aw'ing, the reference numeral I; indicatesfa table" or b'ed' which is a: part of mym'a.- chineandon' which my packaging process takes Splac'e'; Thel table I may bev supported in any suitable manner, as' by legs 2,' orotherwise., of' course.

VAAtloneend. Ioftl'i'e table, IY provide aysuitable I Ii'eans'to`V supporta large supply roll tfof iiexi bl'e wrapping'material'4, .which material may ybe plastic, paper, or any other suitable material for the purpose intended. I prefer to mount the roll on an axle 5 whereby the roll may be driven, as by suitable means not shown, to unwind the wrapping material at a predetermined rate, and also to mount the roll on suitable hydraulic mechanism 6 whereby the roll will readily be lowered as it decreases in size to keep the wrapping material discharge close to the bed of .the table l (see dotted lines Figure l).

If desired, an auxiliary supply roll 1 of wrapping material may be 4mounted above the table l on a similar hydraulic mechanism indicated in dotted lines whereby work stoppages may be kept at a minimum when it is necessary to change supply rolls.

Adjacent the wrapping material supply rolls, the table I is provided with upwardly and inwardly flared guides 3 which cause the marginal edges of the wrapper strip G to be disposed in a vertical relation to the central portion of the strip as the latter moves through the machine, and thus forming the wrapping strip into a trough, as shown in Figure 6. The bed or table I is also formed to a trough shape from the guides 8 to the tail end thereof to guide and support the wrapper, the bed having its marginal edges 9 'bent upwardly at substantially right angles to the control portion of the bed, as shown, to form side walls for the trough bed.

I prefer to mount a roller I@ over the bed and between the side walls 9, the roller being of substantially the same width as the distance between the side walls whereby the wrapping strip is forced to form its desired trough shape as it passes through the machine, the side walls II of the wrapper trough passing between the ends of the roller I and the side walls 9 of the bed or table.

A feed hopper I2 is mounted over the table I adjacent the roller IG, the hopper preferably having side walls i3 which extend into the trough of the table I and in slightly spaced relation to the side walls 9 9 of the table, whereby the side walls II of the wrapper may pass between the hopper walls I3 and the side walls 9, as shown in Figure 5.

The hopper is provided to hold a quantity of ne ore concentrates 5G and may be filled by any suitable means, not shown, such as a conveyor or spout discharge from the ore separating devices which may be used to assemble the concentrates. Within the hopper I2 I provide an impeller I4 which may be rotated to move a predetermined quantity of concentrates, or other material from the hopper, at a predetermined rate to be discharged or deposited on the wrapping strip as the latter moves under the hopper at a predetermined rate of speed, which will become apparent. Also within the hopper are a plurality of baiies I5 which cause the materials to be deposited in an even layer on the wrapper, as is deemed obvious. A door I may be provided on the hopper to permit the inspection of the loading or depositing of the material on the wrapper through a suitable opening, not Shown.

It will readily be seen, from the above,rthat a quantity of material will be continually deposited on the wrapper strip as the latter is moved through the machine by means which will be described. The depth of material deposited is readily controllable with the impeller, and also by the upper limit of the opening 32 through the wall I8 of the hopper through which the material is carried on the wrapper to bring it from the hopper, whereby a uniformly deep layer or load of concentrates is applied along the wrapping strip.

As shown in Figure 6, the depth of material in the troughed wrapper strip is preferably substantially less than the height of the side walls, or marginal edges, Il of the strip whereby a bonding strip II is provided and maintained on each side along the entire length of the strip, the purpose of which will become apparent.

As the loaded strip proceeds through the machine, the bonding strips are bent outwardly away from the vertical side walls II at an angle, as shown in Figure 6. The strip II is threaded through the machine initially with the edges of the strip, or strip I'I, engaging arcuately shaped guides I8 formed in or attached to each of the side walls 9 of the table I and continues through the machine in its angular position, as shown in Fig. 7. After being thus bent or folded, the bonding strips travel under an adhesive dispensing hopper I9, one on each side of the machine, which has a plug or stopper 26 or the like to open and/or close the opening, not shown, in the bottom thereof, through which adhesive is passed to engage and adhere to the bonding strip I1.

As the loaded strip passes further through the machine, the adhesive is spread evenly on the bonding strip by means of a brush 52 held in position over the strip I1 on each side of the machine, the brush preferably having its bristles extending through suitable openings 22 between a pressure foot 23 formed in a guide plate 24 which is secured to the side walls 9, the pressure foot 23 serving to hold the strip in place for the spreading of the adhesive.

The loaded strip is now ready for assembly into a. transportable package. This is accomplished by winding the wrapper strip 4 on a cylindrical core 25, preferably of cardboard or the like. The core 25 is` preferably carried on an axle 26 extending transversely of the table I by means of a shaft support mechanism, not shown, but similar to the support mechanism for the shaft 5, except that the hydraulic cylinder, not shown, would be employed to raise the axle above the table I progressively as the roll carried 'by the axle buildsl up or increases in size.

The core 25 is preferably mounted on the shaft 26 by means of a pair of wedges 2'1-21 which have a cylindrical shape, when assembled as shown, and a square bore to receive the axle 25. These wedges facilitate the mounting of the core on the axle so that a tight fit is obtained whereby the core will be rotated with the axle by any suitable drive means, not shown, connected to the axle to wind the wrapper strip and its load in a spiral coil around the core. In addition, the wedges 2'I--2I make it an easy matter to dismount the core from the axle when desired merely by driving the wedges apart from their smaller ends, as is readily apparent.

The strip 4 and its load are wound on the cylindrical core 25 by first securing the strip to the core in any suitable manner, with the bonding strips I1 overlapping and secured to the sides of the core. An adhesive, staples, or the like, may be used as securing means. Of course, the end of the strip started on the core 25 should be empty or without any concentrates on it so that it will 'be sealed and may be handled conveniently A and secured properly in position; however, the

concentrates may be started in a location relatively closeto the end of the strip 4 which is secured to the core.

agotadas its, readily' bessen from the drawings, Ythe driving or rota'tngcf the axle or shaft 26 will wiidjthe' wrapper strip and its contents on lthe 'dor 25, .forming a roll 30,4an`d, because the driving' pr rotating of the axle 26 accomplishes the winding of the stripwand its contents, a tight Avvliiidiig'of 'the roll 3h0 will be obtained because 'the' said driving of the yaxle also provides the for drawiiigthe `wrapping strip' through the machine and this is, obviously, a-drag on the drive. Because the roll isv tightly wound, the bonding strips I1 project inwardly of or overlap andare secured to the side walls of the core, initially before loading or filling ofthe 'strip begins, an'd, as the' ladd strip is wound otii'cnre'the bonding strips -IT project inwa villyor overlap andaregsecured to the preceding portions of the ,side walls Il of the wrapping strip which have been woundron the core, see Figure 3, land -the adhesive which was applied thereto will securely fasten the bonding strips to the edges of the roll, av pair of rollers 28-28, one on each side of the machinaserving to apply pressure against the bonding strips to securely fasten same in place.

It is to be noted that the bonding strips l1 are preferably provided with substantially evenly spaced slits or cuts 29 substantially at right angles to and along their outer edges. The slits extend inwardly a distance less than the width of the bonding strips, see Figure 3, and provide for better assembly and securing of the bonding strips l1 on the roll as the segments formed between the slits will overlap, as shown, and provide a neater, more secure package. The slits 29, obviously, may be made on the wrapping during its manufacture and winding on the rolls 3 and 1, or they may be cut by a suitable device, not shown, attached to the machine here shown.

When the roll 30 has been wound to the desired size, the supply of concentrates to the wrapping strip may be interrupted by stopping the impeller I4 and dropping the gate 3| to close the opening 32. This is accomplished by operating the crank 33, from either side of the machine, which rotates the gear 34 and reciprocates the rack 35 which is connected to the gate 3l as by arms 36. Simultaneously the stopper closes the opening in the adhesive supply hopper to stop the flow of adhesive to the bonding strips, the arm 31 being connected to and operated with the arm 36.

As thesupply of material to the wrapper is cut off, an attendant preferably slows the speed and maintains the tightness of the roll 30 by forcing the idler roller 38 against the roll 30 as by a rack and pinion device 39 having an operating handle 40.

The wrapping strip 4 is then cut off, and the end thereof secured in place on the roll 30. As means for securing the end of the strip 4 in place, I have provided an elongated clamp 4| of spring material which overlaps the end of the strip 4 and embraces and grips the side edges of the roll, as shown.

As means to facilitate the cutting of the strip 4 at the desired point, I prefer to mount a pair of shuttle bars 42-42 transversely of the table and below the roll 30, on which a carriage 43 is reciprocably mounted. A shear having a fixed cutter is mounted on the carriage to engage and cut the strip 4. The clamp 4l may be applied either before or, preferably, after the cutting of the strip. A conventional spring balance device 44 may be used to operate the shear if desired.

The completed package, or roll 30, may then be lifted from' its mountings and directly on toa transporting vehicle or the like, or placed in any desired place, inside or outside, for storage, after the shaft 26 yand wedges 21--21 are removed to be usedagain to form a similar roll or package.

VWhen the shaft 26, wedges 2'l-'21', and new core '25 are installed on the machine; the pack# aging process may be repeated.

As an added feature of' .my invention, Iehave shown asimple means for threading the wrapping strip 4 'through the machine wheny a new supply roll is installed. A slot 45 is provided longitudinally 'of the table I, and a hook 4611s mounted-on a belt or strand 41 which is carried on a pulley 48 at the strip supply end of themachine. The belt extends the length of-the machine-and is wound yon a second pulley 49 at the oppositeendof the machine. The pulleys maybe spring loaded, of course. A hole may be provided in, or punctured in, 'the Vs'trip'4 and the hook 46 inserted therethrough. Then, the activation of the pulley 49 will pullfthe wrapping strip through 'the machine.

As-may readily be seen from the above, the instant method of packaging fine materials, such as ne ore concentrates, reduces the amount of processing which is required in the present sintering and agglomerating plants; it reduces the amount of machinery and equipment necessary to prepare the product for shipping; it reduces materially the number of operations and handlings given the product before it reaches its ultimate destination, in the case of ore concentrates, the blast furnace; it requires no skilled labor and very little power; there is no loss of material in the process due to handling, oxidation, spillage, and the like; there is little space required in which to practice the invention; and there is less financial expenditure in the instant process for machines, buildings, labor, and the like.

It is deemed apparent that the thickness of the spiral roll, as well as the diameter thereof, can be reduced or widened to accommodate shipping conditions, nature of material packaged, type of transporting vehicle used, and the type of facilities for loading and unloading which are available, all within the scope of my invention.

It is to be understood that I have herein shown and described one specific embodiment of my invention, and that my appended claims are not necessarily limited specifically thereto.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim is:

1. The method of packaging fine materials which comprises forming a strip of wrapping material to a continuous trough shape, filling said trough to; a predetermined depth with said material, rolling said strip and material together in a spiral coil whereby the portions of said strip already wound on said coil act as a cover for the portions being wound on said coil, and sealing1 the otherwise open end and edges of said co1 2. The method of packaging fine materials which `comprises forming a strip of wrapping material toI substantially a continuous trough shape, lling said trough to a predetermined level throughout substantially its entire length leaving the marginal edge on each side of said strip free, rolling said strip and material into a spiral coil with said wrapping material on the outer side of said coil, and simultaneously with said rolling sealing said marginal edges of said strip to the adjacent portions of said wrapper forming said coil to provide closures for the ends of said coil.

3. A machine for packaging line materials comprising a table, an elongated Wrapping strip carried on said table and movable longitudinally thereon, means on said table to form said strip to a trough shape as it moves along same, a hopper over said table to supply material to said troughed strip to a predetermined depth leaving a marginal edge on each side of said trough free of said material, an axle carried over said table, said axle being rotatable, a core removably oarried on said axle to receive one end of said strip whereby the latter may be Wound in a spiral coil With said free marginal edges overlapping the adjacent portions of said core and said strip, and means for securing said marginal edges to said adjacent portio-ns of said core and said strip.

4. A machine for packaging fine materials comprising a table, an elongated Wrapping strip carried o-n said table and movable longitudinally thereon, means on said table to form said strip to a trough shape as it moves along same, a

hopper over said table to supply material to said troughed strip to a predetermined depth leaving a marginal edge on each side of said trough free of said material, an axle carried over said table, said axle being rotatable, a core on said axle to receive one end of said strip whereby the latter may be wound in a spiral coil with said free marginal edges overlapping the adjacent portions of said core and. said strip, and means for sealing said free marginal edges in place against said adjacent portions of said core and said Wrapper.

FRANCIS HENRY FITZGERALD.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,545,022 Wheildon July 7, 1925 2,194,451 Soubier Mar. 19, 1940 2,372,072 Flaws Mar. 20, 1945 2,440,749 Kloek May 4, 1948 2,530,306 Land Nov. 14, 1950 2,565,477 Crowell et al Aug. 28, 1951 

